heff wrote:Hi, I'm heff. I'm 28, I live in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and I (Frank) hate the Red Wings. I became a fan in the mid-90's while living in St. Louis. My dad was going to Concordia seminary at the time.

Can't wait to talk hockey with other Blues fans finally!

We don't really have any fans here.

We have people that perpetually think the sky is falling (and may be way off the reservation, or lacking medication)

We have people that are super dumb and hang out in something called "FlashChat" which I think is cover for illicit trafficking of topless hockey player photos.

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Hey everyone. My name is Josh and I currently live north of St. Louis but over in the Illinois side. Been a Blues fan since I was born ('84) and have since converted my wife into being a big Blues fan herself.

Can't wait to talk hockey with other people devoted to bringing a Cup to the Lou!

Not new but like others the ol' account has gone defunct after long absence. Won't mention what it was (you could figure it out if you were interested but you're not) as it would only jog memories of folks who found me irritating.

What else? Grew up in Florissant. I date my following the Blues from hazy early memories of Liut in goal (fascinated with the position, I still play it). I must have been 4 or 5 at the time. Dad was a fan from the beginning. I live in NYC now-this board makes up for all the time I'd like to spend arguing with my brothers about the club but can't.

Hi everyone. I used to post here regularly from 2003-2007, but only sporadically 2008-2010, and none at all since then, when there was very little posting. I'm back to see if this forum has revived a little. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the '40s-early '60s, my family lived in Ab McDonald's neighbourhood, and we were friendly with his family. I played youth hockey through Midget, and Junior B level. We had a backyard rink (usable for 5 months per year (back in those pre-Global Warming years). We used to visit family in Chicago (starting in 1951). I started being an NHL fan in 1951 (seeing a few games). Being that Winnipeg didn't have an NHL team, and we Canadian Midwesterners were hated rivals of everything relating to Montréal and Toronto, I became a Blackhawks fan. Later, I was a big fan of Glenn Hall (when he came over from Detroit). We moved to Chicago in the early '60s. When The NHL expanded in 1967, I became an instant Blues' fan, when they drafted Hall in The Expansion Draft. In 1968, Ab McDonald was traded to The Blues, and they became my favourite team (ahead of The Blackhawks).

So, I've been a Blues fan since before their first practise, and I've been waiting for them to win The Stanley Cup since the start of their first season. I watched Gordie Howe, Rocket Richard, Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion, Ted Lindsey, Sid Abel, Red Kelly, Terry Sawchuck, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Bobby Orr all play in their primes. I played, myself for 17 years. I love the game. It was my whole life until my late teens.

I look forward to some good hockey conversation here with all of you, during what should be a very successful season for The Blues.

Greetings to my fellow blues fans, and to the haters I guess. I grew up in North County (Hazelwood East High School for all those true St. Louisians) and my family never had an appreciation of hockey, only baseball. So growing up I only played baseball and soccer. After meeting my wife-to-be in college at SIUE she took me to my first blues hockey game and immediately I had found my new religion. Rarely have I missed watching a blues game on TV and we've purchased season tickets whenever possible. I have learned the game of hockey by playing video games from NHL 94 on super nintendo, up to NHL 13 on xbox360 and started playing roller hockey when I was 28. My 8-year-old son and I play NHL 13 constantly, but on the same team because our emotions would lead to crying, yelling and thrown controllers(by both of us). We play hockey video games and watch blues games in my media room which is decorated with hockey stuff. There's no expensive signed game worn jerseys or anything, just a lot of hockey sticks. My favorite item on display is a stick that Pavol Demitira(RIP) used in practice. We're currently looking for a hockey team that my son can join, so if anyone has knowledge of youth hockey in St. Louis please let me know. That's about it. We named our dog Barret, after Barret Jackman. I'm a systems networking and communications specialist at an area hospital and take taekwondo classes with my son.Thanks for reading and GO BLUES!!!

Hi. I was sitting at my computer supposed to be working but decided I wanted a place to read about fans thoughts on last's nights game (Game 5 vs Sharks). Found the site and decided to join. I am a long-time avid Blues fan, which is strange since I actually lived in St. Louis. I was born there but moved away at 8. However I returned for 3 years of grad school at Wash U (in St. Louis). I normally don't like teams from cities I live in because the fans annoy me for various reasons: fair-weather, blatant homerism, blind faith in the team, obnoxious cheering, etc. So it is a real testament to us Blues fans that I can still be a die hard Blues fan despite living there for 3 years. I actually enjoyed getting almost every game televised on local TV and can see why people root for their home-town team. This year I finally got a hockey package and will have that luxury again, Which is awesome as I am tired of having to beg sports bars to put on the game. Being able to watch 82 games and cheering for a cup caliber team has me really excited for the year. LGB!!!!!!!!

P.S. Also like BigSpooky, I didn't grow up with hockey but started to like it because of EA's NHL games. I wonder how many fans that game has created.

I'm from Buffalo, a Sabres fan, a Miller fan and an Ott fan. I wish them, and the Blues, the best through at least the rest of the season. From my perspective, regardless of the team he's on, I want to see Ryan win a Cup. He deserves it. I also feel for the Blues as a team, like the Sabres, that has been to the Finals but never won it all.

I haven't followed the Blues much previously, but I'm all in. For this season, anyway.

Hey everyone! My name is Ted, and I just found/joined the message board, and I love it! My wife, Ryann and I are huge Blues fans, but we live near Lexington, Kentucky, so there aren't many hockey fans here, much less Blues fans. I've been looking for some sort of community where I could "meet" other Blues fans, and I have finally found it! As for our story, I moved here about 5 years ago from Connecticut to live with my girlfriend, and we got married last October. I am a dispatcher for Lexington Fire Department and my wife is an insurance coordinator for a dental practice. We have 2 dogs that are everything to us. Between our jobs, our wedding, and buying our house a month before getting married, we unfortunately haven't been able to make it to STL for any games this year. We are most likely going to be able to make it to the final home game on the 13th against the Wings. If we are able to make it, where is a good place to hang out with other Blues fans before games? Last time we went, we went to Llewellyn's in Soulard. It wasn't bad but I'm guessing there are other places to check out. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you, and hopefully have a beer or two with you before the Red Wings game.

Hello, I'm actually a lifelong Devils fan who lives in Arkansas and with my team formally eliminated from the playoffs I've decided to latch on to the most local team I could find which leads me to the winged note. While I'm aware that St Louis' history with my primary team has not always been the best (Shanahan, Stevens, Jansen for Salvador, tampering compensation leading to Parise, etc.) I've always admired the Blues for their consistency. In short, while I don't necessarily bleed blue (too many Rangers connotations for me) I will happily root for your team to bring the Cup to the Gateway City.

NewarkDevil5 wrote:Hello, I'm actually a lifelong Devils fan who lives in Arkansas and with my team formally eliminated from the playoffs I've decided to latch on to the most local team I could find which leads me to the winged note. While I'm aware that St Louis' history with my primary team has not always been the best (Shanahan, Stevens, Jansen for Salvador, tampering compensation leading to Parise, etc.) I've always admired the Blues for their consistency. In short, while I don't necessarily bleed blue (too many Rangers connotations for me) I will happily root for your team to bring the Cup to the Gateway City.

I'd welcome you, but the NHL might consider it tampering, and we don't need to lose our 30th overall pick for the next 12 seasons...

NewarkDevil5 wrote:Hello, I'm actually a lifelong Devils fan who lives in Arkansas and with my team formally eliminated from the playoffs I've decided to latch on to the most local team I could find which leads me to the winged note. While I'm aware that St Louis' history with my primary team has not always been the best (Shanahan, Stevens, Jansen for Salvador, tampering compensation leading to Parise, etc.) I've always admired the Blues for their consistency. In short, while I don't necessarily bleed blue (too many Rangers connotations for me) I will happily root for your team to bring the Cup to the Gateway City.

Just the fact that you are clearly not a Rangers fan makes you cool in my book. Welcome to LGB.

Hello, everyone. I'm a simple man in his (roaring) 20s and hail from Houston (my name probably gave that much away).

I'm taking my first steps into a larger world today, by finally beginning to seriously follow the NHL and, more importantly, the Blues. Allow me to explain:

I'm a huge sports fan, closely following all the major sports (NFL - Saints, NBA - Rockets, MLB - Astros, College Sports - LSU, and [not so closely, to be honest] MLS - Dynamo) - with hockey being the exception. It has always interested me, but the lack of an NHL team in Houston or New Orleans and the lack of interest from those close to me, has kept me from taking the plunge. However, I've decided to put an end to that, choose a team to call my own, and dive headfirst into the sport.

With the help of another website in choosing a team, and after careful deliberation, I'm happy to say that I'm making a lifelong commitment to being a St. Louis Blues fan.

With that being said, I must admit that I'm a little overwhelmed. Beginning to follow a sport and a team (with nearly 50 years of history) is daunting, to say the least. If anyone would be willing, I'd really appreciate a "state of the team" address, so to speak, in order to put this season into context and to help me familiarize myself with the team. I'm also interested in quickly learning as much as I can about the team's traditions and history. Obviously, I can learn on my own, but succinct information from a fan would be easier to handle. That's a lot to ask of you fine people and, honestly, I'm not expecting anyone to take the time to do that, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Other than that, I'm just happy to be here and to start this new sports chapter in my life. For my first in-person NHL experience (I have been to one AHL game - an Aeros [RIP] game, many years ago), I intend on making the trip up to St. Louis for a home game, but that'll probably be sometime in early 2015. In the meantime, I'm going to be following along on Gamecenter Live (or possibly Center Ice - I haven't decided yet).

H-Town Blues wrote:With the help of another website in choosing a team, and after careful deliberation, I'm happy to say that I'm making a lifelong commitment to being a St. Louis Blues fan.

With that being said, I must admit that I'm a little overwhelmed. Beginning to follow a sport and a team (with nearly 50 years of history) is daunting, to say the least. If anyone would be willing, I'd really appreciate a "state of the team" address, so to speak, in order to put this season into context and to help me familiarize myself with the team. I'm also interested in quickly learning as much as I can about the team's traditions and history. Obviously, I can learn on my own, but succinct information from a fan would be easier to handle. That's a lot to ask of you fine people and, honestly, I'm not expecting anyone to take the time to do that, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

First off, welcome to the board! Always great to have a new member, don't hesitate to stick around. We've got our posts in the forum and then come gameday, we've got Flashchat where a bunch of us get together and chat in real time about the game. It's a hoot. You should give it a spin.

As for the history of the team, I'll start, but I'm sure some of the others will fill in the gaps. The one thing you should know, first off (and not to scare you away), is that we're a tortured fan base. This team has been in existence since 1967. They made the Stanley Cup Finals the first 3 years of existence. Got swept every series. Bobby Orr's flying goal, the whole bit. That was us on the other end of it. The Blues have not been back to the Stanley Cup Finals since. They've only been back to the Conference Finals twice (1986 and 2001).

Speaking of which, the Blues' greatest 'moment' was the Monday Night Miracle.

Only problem was, the Blues followed that up with a loss in Game 7 to miss out on the SCF.

Greatest player in Blues history is Brett Hull.

The Blues had the longest playoff streak in the NHL from the early 80's to the mid 00's. But, being that they're the Blues, their annual playoff choke always prevented them from doing anything big. The Blues have had some All Stars, Hall of Famers, even Wayne Gretzky, come through...and none of them could cash in and bring a Cup to St. Louis.

Now, to where the team is today. The playoff streak ended in the 2005-2006 season. Prior to that season, the Blues owner decided to sell the team, so he gutted the team of any talent. He traded away a HOF defenseman in Chris Pronger for nothing, he let any valuable free agent walk, and basically fielded an AHL team that year. The team was sold and the Blues changed their philosophy from being a team that made big trades and free agent signings, to one that would build through the draft. During this time, the Blues drafted many of the players that would become their foundation moving forward.

TJ Oshie in 2005, Patrik Berglund in '06, Alex Pietrangelo and Jake Allen in 2008, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko in 2010. Not to mention a guy like David Backes (drafted in 2003) who grew and developed into one of the best power forwards in the league and is our current Captain.

The Blues have also done a good job of turning assets into trade pieces, where we've picked up other guys such and Alex Steen, Jay Bouwmeester, and Kevin Shattenkirk.

All told, it's a team that's been built over several years. The last 3 years, the Blues have been one of the best regular season teams. But as per usual, they trip up in the playoffs. The Blues won their first playoff series in a decade when they beat the Sharks 4-1 in 2012. That only led them to being steamrolled 4-0 by the LA Kings, an 8 seed, that would eventually go on to win the Cup.

The very next years, the Blues met up with the Kings again, this time in the first round. The Blues game out strong, going up 2-0 on an OT goal in game 1 and a late goal in game 2. The Blues then proceeded to lose 4 straight, to be upended 4-2.

Last year, the Blues had the Central division in their hands when they hit a disastrous stretch of injuries that saw the team choke away the division lead and fall into a first round matchup with the defending champion Blackhawks.

The Blues came out and went up 2-0, following an triple OT goal in game 1, followed another OT goal in game 2. Blues then proceeded to lose 4 straight, and for a second year in a row, turned a 2-0 series lead into a 4-2 series defeat.

So that's where we are now. The Blues made a splashy FA signing in the offseason with Paul Stastny, as well as bringing over former draft pick Jori Lehtera, who had played in the KHL for years. The Blues also let Ryan Miller walk, re-signed backup G Brian Elliott, gave him the starting role, and promoted Jake Allen (the AHL goalie of the year last year) to the NHL as his backup.

Welcome to the fan base. We're tortured but always optimistic that the next year will be our year.

dmiles2186 wrote:First off, welcome to the board! Always great to have a new member, don't hesitate to stick around. We've got our posts in the forum and then come gameday, we've got Flashchat where a bunch of us get together and chat in real time about the game. It's a hoot. You should give it a spin.

Thank you, sir. I definitely plan on sticking around. To make use of Flashchat, I suppose I should go with Center Ice instead of Gamecenter (so I'm not dealing with a 45 - 60 second delay).

dmiles2186 wrote: As for the history of the team, I'll start, but I'm sure some of the others will fill in the gaps. The one thing you should know, first off (and not to scare you away), is that we're a tortured fan base. This team has been in existence since 1967. They made the Stanley Cup Finals the first 3 years of existence. Got swept every series. Bobby Orr's flying goal, the whole bit. That was us on the other end of it. The Blues have not been back to the Stanley Cup Finals since. They've only been back to the Conference Finals twice (1986 and 2001).

Don't worry about scaring me away (I'm not going anywhere), I'm aware of the frustrations that you guys have had to deal with over the years. In fact, it only makes it easier to root for the Blues. When the day comes that the Blues win the Cup, it'll be that much sweeter (even for a new fan, such as myself).

dmiles2186 wrote: The Blues had the longest playoff streak in the NHL from the early 80's to the mid 00's. But, being that they're the Blues, their annual playoff choke always prevented them from doing anything big. The Blues have had some All Stars, Hall of Famers, even Wayne Gretzky, come through...and none of them could cash in and bring a Cup to St. Louis.

Now, to where the team is today. The playoff streak ended in the 2005-2006 season. Prior to that season, the Blues owner decided to sell the team, so he gutted the team of any talent. He traded away a HOF defenseman in Chris Pronger for nothing, he let any valuable free agent walk, and basically fielded an AHL team that year. The team was sold and the Blues changed their philosophy from being a team that made big trades and free agent signings, to one that would build through the draft. During this time, the Blues drafted many of the players that would become their foundation moving forward.

TJ Oshie in 2005, Patrik Berglund in '06, Alex Pietrangelo and Jake Allen in 2008, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko in 2010. Not to mention a guy like David Backes (drafted in 2003) who grew and developed into one of the best power forwards in the league and is our current Captain.

The Blues have also done a good job of turning assets into trade pieces, where we've picked up other guys such and Alex Steen, Jay Bouwmeester, and Kevin Shattenkirk.

All told, it's a team that's been built over several years. The last 3 years, the Blues have been one of the best regular season teams. But as per usual, they trip up in the playoffs. The Blues won their first playoff series in a decade when they beat the Sharks 4-1 in 2012. That only led them to being steamrolled 4-0 by the LA Kings, an 8 seed, that would eventually go on to win the Cup.

The very next years, the Blues met up with the Kings again, this time in the first round. The Blues game out strong, going up 2-0 on an OT goal in game 1 and a late goal in game 2. The Blues then proceeded to lose 4 straight, to be upended 4-2.

Last year, the Blues had the Central division in their hands when they hit a disastrous stretch of injuries that saw the team choke away the division lead and fall into a first round matchup with the defending champion Blackhawks.

The Blues came out and went up 2-0, following an triple OT goal in game 1, followed another OT goal in game 2. Blues then proceeded to lose 4 straight, and for a second year in a row, turned a 2-0 series lead into a 4-2 series defeat.

So that's where we are now. The Blues made a splashy FA signing in the offseason with Paul Stastny, as well as bringing over former draft pick Jori Lehtera, who had played in the KHL for years. The Blues also let Ryan Miller walk, re-signed backup G Brian Elliott, gave him the starting role, and promoted Jake Allen (the AHL goalie of the year last year) to the NHL as his backup.

Thanks for taking the time to type that up, I really appreciate it.

dmiles2186 wrote:Welcome to the fan base. We're tortured but always optimistic that the next year will be our year.

I'm confident that I'm going to enjoy being a Blues fan (regardless of how low the lows might be in the future). Hopefully, I'm some sort of good luck charm.

H-Town Blues wrote:Thank you, sir. I definitely plan on sticking around. To make use of Flashchat, I suppose I should go with Center Ice instead of Gamecenter (so I'm not dealing with a 45 - 60 second delay).

Yeah, there are a few who have Gamecenter and those of us watching on TV typically spoil good (or bad) things for them. It's really up to you, but for maximum enjoyment of Flashchat, Center Ice would probably be the better option.